Who do I contact?
Clients often wonder who to call when they have a simple question or need money from their account. Actually any of us can take a money request or answer basic questions. Below is a list of Willow Creek employees and a brief description of what they do.
For something more complicated or when you need to take a large, unexpected sum from your account that may involve trading and tax issues it usually is a good idea to speak with your advisor directly.
Front Desk
Patti Dedrick | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Patti brings years of experience in the financial stock transfers industry to her position here at WCFS. All of you have probably met or spoken with Patti when you call in or need to execute new account paperwork. She is also our resident notary. View Bio
Advisors
Bruce Dzieza, CFP | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Bruce is our founder and president. He specializes in all aspects of asset management, real estate and charitable giving as well as being our bond expert. View Bio
Heather Cleland, CFP | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Heather is a partner and has had her CFP certification since 2000. She creates many of our comprehensive financial plans and serves as the company’s Chief Compliance Officer. View Bio
Jason Gittins, CFP | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Jason is a partner, originally starting as an intern from Sonoma State in 1996. He is our portfolio manager in addition to having his own roster of clients. View Bio
Teresa Mitchell, CFP | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Teresa received her CFP in 2008 and spends much of her time on the financial planning side of the business. She also speaks with any prospective clientele. If you call late in the day you may find yourself speaking to Teresa. View Bio
Mark Keating, CFP | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Mark is also one of the company’s portfolio managers. He just passed his CFP examination. Mark formerly worked in the wealth management division at Exchange Bank. View Bio
Portfolio Administration
Kelly Noonan, CFO | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | No one has worked for Willow Creek Financial longer than Kelly, although many of you have not met her. As our CFO, she manages WCFS corporate finances and is also responsible for our internal portfolio trading systems. View Bio
Ginny Folwell | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Ginny is another staffer you may not have met. She has worked on executing trades as our portfolio administrator since 2005. View Bio
Administrative Support
Sheryl Harrigan | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Sheryl is a long-time employee since 1999. She handles our billing and tax support. View Bio
Nancy Spallino | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Nancy works part-time for Willow Creek on special projects. She often answers the phones and you may have seen her at the front desk when Patti is away. View Bio
Deposits
How do I make a deposit to my account?
You can mail a check to the Willow Creek Sebastopol office (or drop it by). Don’t forget to indicate in the memo section of the check which account the deposit is for. If the deposit is for a retirement account, please indicate the tax year of the deposit. You can also wire or direct deposit money into your account electronically, please ask us for instructions. If you would like to make systematic deposits either monthly or quarterly, you can set up a regular ACH deposit directly from your personal checking or savings account to your investment account.
Who do I make the check out to?
Make your check payable to TD Ameritrade. As a fiduciary Willow Creek does not have direct custody of client assets. Please indicate the title of the account you wish to deposit into in the memo section of the check. Also include the account number if you have it. Once again please include the “tax year" for any retirement account (IRA, ROTH, SEP, SIMPLE, 401k, etc) contributions.
Withdrawals
How can I get money out of my account?
Just call or email us with the request. Any of us can take a money request. Please let us know how you would like the money sent (i.e. check or wire) and when you will need it. If you need to take a large amount from your account that will involve trading and likely cause tax liabilities it is a good idea to speak with your advisor directly.
Please don’t leave withdrawal requests on voicemail.
How long will it take to get my money?
Please give us about a week. If there isn’t adequate cash in the account it can take up to three days for the trades to settle. Keep in mind that it may take 3-4 days for a check to be cut and mailed out. The checks are mailed out of TD Ameritrade’s New Jersey operations center. Don’t forget that your check from your TD Ameritrade account will also need to be deposited at your bank (and your bank may place a brief hold on the check).
Is there a charge for withdrawals?
There is no charge from TD Ameritrade or Willow Creek for a standard withdrawal. If you would like a check from your account sent via an over-night carrier there is a $10 fee. Your bank, however, may charge a fee for wires. Also please also keep in mind that there may be tax ramifications upon sale of an investment in a taxable account.
In what ways can I take a withdrawal?
One of the simplest ways to take a withdrawal is to request a check to your address of record. Other options include over-nighting a check to your address of record or sending a Federal Funds Wire to your bank. You can also set up your account with automatic withdrawals for a fixed amount each month, sent either to your bank electronically or to any bank of your choice. All withdrawal requests to a location other than your address of record via check require your signed approval.
Why won’t my bank deposit a check from my investment trust account?
Your bank may not deposit a check made payable to your trust into a personal non-trust account. You will have to either open a trust account at your bank, arrange for an electronic transfer or consider asking for a trust account checkbook. We can help you with tha latter two options.
My Account
I don’t understand my statements from TD Ameritrade or my Quarterly Statement from Willow Creek?
Bring it in or give us a call. Financial account statements can be difficult to interpret and we are happy to go over them with you.
Can I view my accounts online at TD Ameritrade and can I get my statements/trade confirmations online?
You can. Please contact Patti to set up online access to your TD Ameritrade account(s). Once online you’ll be able to view your holdings and retrieve previous monthly statements and trade confirmations. When you complete your application for an account at TD Ameritrade you can select to have your statements/trade confirmations viewable online. When a new statement is available online you will receive an email notification. If you ever experience technical problems with the online access please give our office a call.
My Advisor
How should I contact my advisor?
Please either call or email. We will always do our best to return your call/email within 24 hours during the work week. Keep in mind that emails do not always go through. Please follow up with a phone call if you haven’t gotten a timely response.
When should I contact my advisor?
Whenever you have a question or concern about your finances or changes in your financial situation. If you are unsure about anything to do with money please don’t hesitate to call us to talk about the issue.
Reviews of my Account
How often should I come in for a meeting with my advisor?
At least annually. If you can’t make an in-person meeting please call to set up a phone meeting. These meetings are very important and keep you up to date on current economic, tax, estate and retirement issues. They also give you an opportunity to discuss any changes in your life that may affect your financial planning needs.
Is there a charge for these meetings?
There is no charge for clients who engage us for comprehensive asset management services. These update meetings are included in our services. However, there may be a fee charged for financial planning updates which include a systematic review of new information. When charging for financial plan updates, we will always provide an estimate of the costs before we begin.
Investment Policy Statement
What is an Investment Policy Statement (IPS)?
An IPS is a document that establishes reasonable expectations, objectives and guidelines pertaining to the investments and management of your portfolio assets. The IPS provides both you and WCFS a very clear directive on how your account is to be managed. WCFS does not change the risk and return objectives of your IPS without first discussing the changes with you.